MY SPACE

Yawynne Yem of Auckland fashion PR agency Showroom 22 is invigorated by her constantly evolving workplace

PR expert Yawynne Yem is invigorated by her constantly changing workplace.

Describe the space: “Showroom 22 was founded by Murray Bevan 21 years ago. We moved into our Grey Lynn, Auckland, home in June last year. It’s industrial on the exterior but with the ever-changing products from our clients’ collections, it shifts in colour and texture. It’s been fun seeing pops of joyous fuchsia throughout the space this season. Our walls are all on wheels so we can manipulate the entire layout of the showroom. There’s always music playing and if it’s seasonal switchover time, we’ll pump Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 to get through unpacking new season samples. The showroom is downstairs from our main office, so I’ve become extremely good at running up and down stairs in heels.”

What inspires you about this space? “I get to watch the seasons change through beautiful clothes. We do a switchover every three to four months, which basically means overhauling the entire showroom from autumn to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer, and so on.

“It’s most magical during the height of the editorial season. Samples are flying in and out of the door, and it also means that I’m able to catch up with editors or stylists who have become friends. The showroom allows me to be right in the middle, physically and metaphorically, of our designers’ collections.

“I love seeing the pulls stylists make and their execution once the photo shoot has come out. But what makes me excited to get up every morning are the conversations between stylists, media, musicians and more who come through. It makes the space feel so vibrant and alive.”

What feelings does the space evoke? “Admiration, joy, inspiration and gratitude.”

What is your role? “I’m showroom manager for Showroom 22 and a PR account manager for some of our clients including Twenty-seven Names, Kowtow, Standard Issue, Kathryn Wilson, Moscot, Garrett Leight, Ahlem, Mykita and Silk & Steel. It’s a special role. It means a lot of people time, so it’s lucky I’m a chatterbox!”